Birdwatching

Ref: C2338587

A series of field visits to some of the top reserves in the East Midlands involving easy walks to learn about the birds and their habitats. We start indoors at 10am on 6th March at the RSPB Fairburn Ings reserve with a briefing on how to get to the other fieldwork venues, before moving outdoors to explore the reserve until 4pm, so please bring appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear, plus your binoculars to all sessions. Subsequent meetings will all be outdoors, starting at 10am until 3.30pm as follows;
27th March: Langford Lowfields RSPB reserve, near Newark; 17th April: Whisby Nature Park, near Lincoln.

Course aim

The emphasis of this course will be on the enjoyment of birds and nature by encouraging course members of all levels to discover some new bird reserves within fifty miles of Matlock, and to identify the birds which use these different habitats.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

No skills or experience needed

This course is suitable for beginners and improvers

By the end of the course I should be able to:

Recognise a variety of local birds (resident and visitors)

Distinguish between resident birds & visitors

Use a field guide more competently

Be familiar with some bird reserves within 50 miles of Matlock

Compile a list of birds seen on these reserves

How will I be taught?

The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning

You will be shown birds through a telescope and encouraged to identify birds by sight and sound

What kind of feedback can I expect?

A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion

Monitoring of your progress will be by informal discussion

What else do I need to know?

You will need binoculars, outdoor clothing appropriate to the weather forecast and packed lunches. Field guide (bird book) would be useful.